“I Gave Up My Tomorrows For Your Todays” … 6/6/44
Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force!
You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have
striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The
hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.
In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on
other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war
machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of
Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.
Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well
equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely.
But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of
1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats,
in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their
strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home
Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions
of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men.
The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to
Victory!
I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in
battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory!
Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great
and noble undertaking.
SIGNED: Dwight D. Eisenhower
Normandy invasion (1944): D-Day German footage
FDR Speech
Darling:
…Yesterday I had to visit all the units again, to get statements for my report. The regiment is in contact with the enemy, so such trips always have their skin-prickling moments. I got back pretty tired about 7 o’clock, just in time to get a phone call from the CO of one of Sirrine’s battalions, also in the line, requesting me to come up to discuss personal problems of his body-guard, a fine young fellow who had simultaneously received word that his sister, an army nurse, and a brother, a flyer, had both been killed in the So. Pacific, and that his remaining brother had been critically wounded with another division here in France.
While up there, I hit the favorite hours for Jerry’s activities, and, frankly, pretty nearly had the pants scared off me, with samples of shelling, mortar-fire, and strafing. I got back at midnight, having driven the jeep myself all day (my driver being on guard) slipping and slewing through mud axle deep whenever I got off the surfaced roads, which was frequently. I hate to admit it, but after a day like that, I feel my years. Yeah, man! War is a young man’s game!…
News on 90th has been released. Maybe you know something now of what the boys have gone through: constant contact with the enemy since D-Day. They’ve taken their losses, too. Somebody says “Old Bill got it today.” “No!” you say. “Son-of-a-bitch!” And you go on about your business, with a little more emptiness inside, a little more tiredness, a little more hatred of everything concerning war.
There is a certain cemetery where some of my closest friends in the division lie. I saw it grow — shattered bodies lying there waiting for graves to be dug. Now it is filled. The graves are neat and trim, each with its cross. Occasionally I visit it when passing by. Always there are flowers on the graves: Sometimes a potted geranium has been newly brought in; sometimes there is a handful of daisies. The French people, especially the children, seem to have charged themselves with this little attention. Our bombers are roaring overhead just now, in the hazy afterglow of sunset. In a few seconds I’ll hear the crunch of bombs — a good-night kiss for the Nazis. There they go!
The war news is good; but we’re fighting over optimism. I suppose people at home are elated; the boys up front are still in their fox-holes.
I’ll try to write at least a note every day or so. Take care of yourself. I’m fine.
Love,
John (D-Day Letters From The Front)
“I Gave Up My Tomorrows For Your Todays” … 6/6/44
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June 6, 1944. Today’s school kids say: “Huh? What? ”
June 6th, 2008 at 5:05 am“June 6, 1944. Today’s school kids say: “Huh? What? ” :mad:”
It is indeed a sad and shameful thing.
June 6th, 2008 at 5:36 am“Whenever we honor those who gave thier lives for our country, we must thank God that such men lived”
Gen. George Patton
I whole-heartedly, humbly, and graciously agree.
June 6th, 2008 at 5:42 am“I Gave Up My Tomorrows For Your Todays” … 6/6/44
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Amen
June 6th, 2008 at 5:46 amJust out of curiosity, I noticed how clean and well-kept the cemetary is at Normandy. Compare this to the article a few days ago about the graves of our Marines who died on Tarawa.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:00 amFor all their socialist faults and old world arrogance, the French seem unable to forget our sacrifice for them … Hopefully that continues to pass through each new generation over there.
However, there HAVE been times I have desperately wanted to dig up our men and bring them home from there …
June 6th, 2008 at 6:07 amhttp://www.snafu-special.com/index.asp
http://www.6juin1944.com/
Eisenhower is revered here ; he also said :
“In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together”
June 6th, 2008 at 6:15 amIf you are at all interested in your kids knowing about the great history of the United States of America you ahve to teach them yourself, trust me I know.
My kids all know what happened on 6/6, and they know why.
They also know what happened on 12/7, sadly here again most kids in middle school could not tell you what happened on 12/7.
Thank you to all that served before me,God bless those that paid the ultimate sacrifice and Semper Fi to all.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:21 amIn addition…
June 6th, 2008 at 6:23 amWhen I read these words, and feel the sentiments expressed therein, and recall the sacrifice and heroism shown, I am left ashamed by the words of our current congress, politicians and media wonks. It is absolutely unacceptable. My only solice lies in the knowledge that there are now men, and women serving that hold the values, honor and sentiments expressed in the post above. I pray that these service members, upon their return, replace our shameless representatives in office, and begin to return this Nation to its once proud heritage. Godspeed.
Franchie-
June 6th, 2008 at 6:48 amFortunately, we listend to not only Eisenhower, but Reagan. Such that today have the greatest balance of freedom and power in the world. We will be there again for you, when France falls in the comming future. Do you think Mont Saint-Michel will look inspireing with minarets?
“What price, freedom?”
Seems the American memory is getting shorter all the time. In one day, generally considered a success, we lost the same amount of lives as we have in 5 years in the middle east…something to think about.
My deepest and sincere respect and admiration for those who gave all for us.
June 6th, 2008 at 6:58 amwe lost the same amount of lives as we have in 5 years in the middle east…something to think about.
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Amen …
June 6th, 2008 at 7:03 amVisiting the American Cemetery in Normandy was a very humbling experience for me. You imagine what it must have been like for the men that sacrificed their lives on that day. They are true heroes.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:26 amI thank all whom have died for my freedom today, proving once again freedom is not free.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:37 amCorrect me if I am wrong, but so far we have lost just over 5,300 men in Iraq in five years. There are 9,387 men buried at the Normandy American Cemetery.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:46 amPolitical.fish ,
I am sure you would enjoy it, though might be the Europeans that will come to save America : I have read here that the “empire state building” had green lights for christmas
June 6th, 2008 at 7:55 amFranchie
When Americans return to their European values of family, work and faith. America’s greatness will be fully restored.
This Obmua crap is a wake up call.
The men in uniform during WW2 were 98% European heritage. This PC crap out of Hollywood lately particulary Ken Burns’s doc paint the picture of Blacks, American Indians and Japs as the guys who fought in US uniforms and carried the day.
Its all rewriting history for PC 21st Century kids to believe.
See Clint Eastwood’s reaction to Spike Lee post.
By the way I never forget a WW2 bomber pilot, who flew missions out of Sicily, telling me last year that the Tuskegee “Airmen” sucked. True story!!!!!!!!
June 6th, 2008 at 8:16 amCan we keep this thread more to the remembrance and respect for the men who “gave their tomorrows for our todays” …
June 6th, 2008 at 8:37 amWow…just wow.
June 6th, 2008 at 8:48 amWell said.
June 6th, 2008 at 8:54 amDrill
Yes we can and will.
Here is to the Big Red One who hit the beach first
Here is to Pointe de Huc Rangers
Here is to the US Airbornes units that hit land first
June 6th, 2008 at 9:02 am
We owe them more than we could ever repay-thanks.
June 6th, 2008 at 12:23 pmAmerican Jarhead & T-Bagg,
I beg to differ with you about America’s school kids today. They know D-Day, at least those at my school. I had the great fortune of coming into contact with a veteran of Omaha Beach and he has spoken to my students numerous times in the past three years. Mr. Bob Watson hit the shores of Omaha Beach in the first wave. He was in the 6th Beach Battalion - Beach Masters, who were charged with gaining total control of beach head. Bob and his shipmates remained on Omaha Beach for the next 28 days. Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice are still there, buried in the cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach.
Mr. Watson has spoken to, in his estimates, over 500 classrooms. In the three years, I have never had one student show anything less than total respect and even awe. Time and time again, I see and hear students thank Mr. Watson for his service and they constantly tell him what a hero he is to them.
Don’t be so pessimistic about the kids in America today. They’re the ones doing most of the heavy lifting in Iraq and Afghanistan today.
June 6th, 2008 at 12:26 pmAssuming you are a teacher, I give you kudos for keeping history alive by tapping into such a valuable resource as our WWII vets.
I would also add, the HBO series “Band Of Brothers” was quite eagerly consumed by our local high school students in their history classes. And that, again, is due to the teachers seeing it as a great tool to entice a new generation’s interest in history … My older daughter said, when she was still in high school at the time, that many of the boys were carrying around copies of the Ambrose books under their arms atop their school books after the mini-series ran … and, as you pointed out, many of them joined the military after graduation.
June 6th, 2008 at 1:00 pmGOD Bless ALL the men and women who stormed the beaches and dropped behind enemy lines on that day; June 6, 1944. Thank you for my/our freedom. I will never forget!
June 6th, 2008 at 1:17 pmI am sure none of this is seen in our schools today. Heck I haven’t heard too much today on our news. Thank goodness for the Internet. I have sent this to everyone I know. I was scanning the tube the other night and there were 3 contestants and the pic of Gen. Eisenhower was on a screen and one was asked who he was. She said I think Hitler!!! People just laughed, but she did not even know who he was and thats the sad part. All I can say is Heaven help us and God Bless America. Thanks to all our Veterans, those with us and those that have gone before us. I love them all.
June 6th, 2008 at 2:28 pm“I gave up my tomorrows for your todays.”
Those words are so true and span all time.
We will never forget their service and sacrifice.
I am very thankful for my freedom.
The National D-Day Memorial Foundation,
Bedford, Virginia
http://www.dday.org/index.php?page=gallery
June 6th, 2008 at 7:05 pmFor my own family…two of our relatives remain in France. One from WWI; one from WWII. A Silver Star and a Bronze star is all that is left of them. But what a legacy they left behind for generations to follow.
From the 6 June 1984 Ronald Regan speech:
“…Behind me is a memorial that symbolizes the Ranger daggers that were thrust into the top of these cliffs. And before me are the men who put them there.
These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war.
Gentlemen, I look at you and I think of the words of Stephen Spender’s poem. You are men who in your “lives fought for life . . . and left the vivid air signed with your honor.”
Nuf said.
June 6th, 2008 at 7:09 pmA salute to all esp. Grandpa, a lt. Col. who made it through Normandy but was unfortunately injured in March ‘45 in France or Germany and died stateside of a lung infection 8/04/45, one day before first a-bomb fell on Hiroshima-(think intl. dateline.) It didn’t help that he had been gassed in WWI. He rests in Santa Barbara, Ca. overlooking the Pacific.
June 6th, 2008 at 9:49 pm